Naegleria fowleri ameba
Naegleria fowleri ameba
Naegleria fowleri is an ameba (single-celled living organism) commonly found in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs as well as soil. In rare cases, it can cause a severe infection in the brain.
Naegleria fowleri grows best at higher temperatures up to 115°F (46°C) and can survive for short periods at higher temperatures.
Risk of Infection
Although Naegleria fowleri is commonly found in warm freshwater, infection is very rare.
MRSA - Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
What is Staph?
Staph is a type of bacteria. Up to one-third of all people carry Staph on their skin or in their nose and are "colonized", but not infected, with Staph. They have no symptoms, yet they can pass the germ to others.
West Nile Virus
Overview
West Nile virus is a disease transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on infected birds.
West Nile virus is common in birds, humans and other animals in Africa, Australia, Eastern Europe, west Asia and the Middle East.
It was first detected in North America in 1999, and has since spread across the continental United States and Canada.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
What is Pertussis?
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that is found throughout the world. Pertussis was one of the most common causes of childhood deaths prior to the availability of a vaccine.
Since the widespread use of the vaccine began, deaths from have decreased dramatically. Because the bacteria are so widespread, most communities, including South Carolina, can expect cases of the disease each year. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children.
Head Lice (Pediculosis)
What are Head Lice?
Head lice are tiny insects that feed on blood from the human scalp and lay their eggs on hair. Head lice are very common, particularly in children. There is no connection between head lice and the length of someone's hair or the cleanliness of the hair, body, or home or school environment.
The medical name for head lice is Pediculosis humanus capitis.
Avian Influenza
DPH continues to monitor reports of recent avian flu outbreaks around the world. There have been no human cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in South Carolina since it was first detected in the United States in 2022.
Partner Services
Local health departments offer Partner Services, a free, confidential program for individuals and their partners who may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), as well as others who are at an increased risk for infection. Partner Services assists with linking individuals and their partners to testing, treatment, medical care, STI/HIV prevention services, and other medical services to improve health outcomes. The goal is to prevent the spread of STIs and reduce the harmful effects of complications. Services are offered for the following infections:
Partner Notification
Partner services are a broad array of services offered to persons with HIV infection, syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydial infection and their partners. A critical function of partner services is partner notification, a process through which infected persons are interviewed to elicit information about their partners, who can then be confidentially notified of their possible exposure or potential risk.